Literary notes about preserve (AI summary)
The word "preserve" is employed in literature with a rich variety of meanings, ranging from the safeguarding of tangible objects to the upkeep of abstract virtues. In some texts it denotes an effort to maintain physical integrity—whether keeping bones in chests [1], retaining metallic lustre [2], or prolonging the life of crops [3]—while in others it embodies moral and spiritual protection, as in petitions for divine safeguarding [4, 5, 6] or the maintenance of personal honor and character [7, 8, 9]. The term is also used in political and social contexts to signify the conservation of established laws and status quo [10, 11, 12]. This multifaceted usage highlights how authors invoke "preserve" not only to indicate physical or visual continuance but also to express a commitment to upholding values, identity, and societal order.
- It is also related that the people of New Guinea preserve the bones of their dead in chests and maintain communication with them.
— from The Social Cancer: A Complete English Version of Noli Me Tangere by José Rizal - B. Yes; and this is the case with the perfect metals, which, on that account, preserve their metallic lustre so well.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - hese holy sweepings preserve the crops; but that year, if you will believe me, they had no effect whatever.
— from The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion by James George Frazer - Because God loveth Israel, and will preserve them forever: therefore hath he made thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth: and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - Preserve my soul, for I am holy: save thy servant, O my God, that trusteth in thee.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - [5] XXXIII Begin by prescribing to yourself some character and demeanor, such as you may preserve both alone and in company.
— from The Enchiridion by Epictetus - I'll still preserve the character in which I STOOPED TO CONQUER; but will undeceive my papa, who perhaps may laugh him out of his resolution.
— from She Stoops to Conquer; Or, The Mistakes of a Night: A Comedy by Oliver Goldsmith - Preserve your own character, remain to them friendly, benevolent, gracious.
— from The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus by Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius - Bethell rejoined that this would be a violation of neutrality; one must preserve the status quo.
— from The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams - Upon this point, therefore, the political and the logical reasons agree, and the people as well as the judges preserve their privileges.
— from Democracy in America — Volume 1 by Alexis de Tocqueville - If their king is their god he is or should be, also their preserver; and if he will not preserve them he must make room for another who will.
— from Totem and Taboo by Sigmund Freud
